Young author blends storytelling with conservation advocacy, as leaders highlight compassion and youth-driven change in addressing environmental challenges
Renowned wildlife filmmaker Mike Pandey and educationist Shivani Wazir Pasrich today launched The Lonely Rhino, a children’s book by young author Saessha Passi, at The Study School, East of Kailash. The event brought together voices from conservation, education, and publishing, highlighting the growing role of young changemakers in building environmental awareness.
Table of contents
- Young author blends storytelling with conservation advocacy, as leaders highlight compassion and youth-driven change in addressing environmental challenges
- A Story of Identity, Belonging, and Conservation
- Platform for Young Voices in Storytelling
- Mike Pandey Stresses Compassion in Conservation
- School’s Sustainability Vision and Recognition
- LXY Programme Encourages Purpose-Driven Writing
- Beyond Writing: A Young Conservationist in Action
- Community Participation and Collective Responsibility
- A Book with a Strong Message for Young Readers
A Story of Identity, Belonging, and Conservation
Saessha Passi, a Grade 11 student, authored The Lonely Rhino, which tells the story of Ravi, a young rhino navigating loneliness, identity, and belonging, while drawing attention to the urgent need for wildlife conservation in India. Over the past three years, Saessha has actively raised awareness about saving the Indian rhino, combining advocacy with storytelling.
Platform for Young Voices in Storytelling
Milap Publications published the book under its League of Extraordinary Young Writers (LXY) programme, an initiative that mentors and promotes young authors focused on socially relevant storytelling.
Mike Pandey Stresses Compassion in Conservation
Speaking at the launch, Mike Pandey emphasised that compassion — not just laws — drives real change in conservation. Mike Pandey said that inspiring children to care can transform the future of wildlife. He added that stories like this spark that change.
Mike Pandey also highlighted the ongoing environmental crisis. He pointed to climate change, pollution, and unchecked human greed. Moreover, he stressed that humans must recognise their interdependence with other life forms. He warned against assuming dominance over the planet.
Furthermore, Pandey underlined the importance of early engagement. He said such platforms help build empathy and responsibility among children. In addition, he raised concerns about plastic pollution and environmental damage. He warned that current consumption patterns could severely harm ecosystems in the future.
School’s Sustainability Vision and Recognition
Shivani Wazir Pasrich, Director of The Study School, reiterated the institution’s vision, stating that it focuses on nurturing very young “Soldiers of Sustainability” through their nature-centric approach. The school was recently honored with a sustainability award from the Education Minister, reflecting its deep commitment to responsible education.
A passionate conservation advocate, Shivani Wazir Pasrich actively supports the “I Am the Tiger” project. This initiative focuses on tiger conservation in India. Moreover, she appreciated Saessha’s passion. She said the school is happy to be associated with her book. She added that the book reflects strong commitment. It also establishes Saessha as an “Earth Warrior.”
LXY Programme Encourages Purpose-Driven Writing
Yogi Suri, Managing Editor at Milap Publications, highlighted the impact of the LXY programme, stating, “LXY’s true success lies in nurturing empathetic young voices like Saessha, who turn storytelling into a meaningful agent for change.”
Beyond Writing: A Young Conservationist in Action
Alongside her writing, Saessha Passi leads conservation efforts through her initiative STIR (Save the Indian Rhino), where she conducts workshops and raises funds to support wildlife protection.
Community Participation and Collective Responsibility
Educators, students, and members of the literary and environmental community attended the event, reinforcing the importance of collective action in promoting environmental consciousness.
A Book with a Strong Message for Young Readers
The Lonely Rhino, published by Milap Publications, targets young readers. It uses storytelling to engage them effectively. Moreover, the book delivers strong messages on empathy, self-acceptance, and environmental responsibility.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
